Game Playing Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A game playing apparatus includes a plurality of handsets, each of which has at least two operating buttons. The apparatus further includes a device for receiving an input signal identifying the correct sequence in which the buttons of each handset must be pressed, a device for determining from the input signal whether the buttons of each hand-set are pressed in the correct sequence and a device for transmitting at least one control signal identifying at least the handset having the buttons that are the first to be pressed in the correct sequence. The game playing apparatus conveniently allows for a plurality of players to compete against one another in, for example, a general knowledge quiz game.

The present invention relates to a game playing apparatus and, more particularly, to an electronic game playing apparatus, whereby a plurality of players may compete against one another to be the first to solve a mental challenge presented to them.

It is well known to provide a participant in a quiz with a mental challenge of the form “place these n items in the correct order”. For example, a participant may be required to place a number of words in the correct alphabetical order, a number of events in the correct chronological order, etc.

I have now devised a convenient means by which such a quiz may be provided in an electronic form and such that a plurality of players may compete against one another.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game playing apparatus comprising a plurality of handsets, each handset comprising at least two operating buttons, said apparatus further comprising means for receiving an input signal identifying the correct sequence in which the buttons of each handset must be pressed, means for determining from said input signal whether the buttons of each handset are pressed in the correct sequence and means for transmitting at least one control signal identifying at least the handset whose buttons are the first to be pressed in the correct sequence.

Preferably said at least one control signal identifies each handset whose buttons are pressed in the correct sequence, and preferably also the order in which the last button press of each correct sequence is pressed.

In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of said handsets comprises the necessary means for independently receiving said input signal, determining from said input signal whether the buttons of the handset are pressed in the correct sequence and transmitting at least one respective control signal accordingly.

Preferably said input signal either comprises or is derived from a signal incorporated into either audio or video data, according to known practices. For example, a number of published patent documents in the name of Koplar Interactive Systems International disclose methods by which coded signals may be readily incorporated into a video data stream, such that the coded signals are substantially invisible. Similarly, a number of published patent documents in the name of Arbitron Inc. disclose methods by which coded signals may instead be incorporated into an audio data stream, such that the coded signals are substantially inaudible.

Preferably the apparatus comprises an optical data storage disc, such as a DVD, VCD or SVCD, on which said audio or video data is recorded, and a DVD player and TV combination for accessing the contents of the disc, but may also or otherwise comprise means for receiving said audio or video data as a television or radio broadcast, via a radio-frequency, cable, satellite or internet link.

Preferably each handset is re-configurable to associate one or other of a plurality of different control signals or combinations of control signals therewith, appropriate for controlling the DVD player with which the handsets are to be used, which functionality may be readily achieved according to well known practices (e.g. the skilled reader will no-doubt be aware of the existence of so-called “universal” remote control handsets, comprising means by which the control signals associated with the buttons of thereof may be modified, either by entering appropriate codes into the handset, via the operating buttons thereof or via a communications link, or by recording the control signals produced by a handset whose functionality is to be mimicked).

In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of said handsets communicates, preferably by means of a wired connection, with a processing hub comprising the necessary means for receiving said input signal, determining from said input signal whether the buttons of each handset are pressed in the correct sequence and transmitting at least one control signal accordingly.

Preferably said input signal either comprises or is derived from a signal incorporated into either audio or video data, according to known practices.

Preferably the apparatus comprises an optical data storage disc, such as a DVD, VCD or SVCD, on which said audio or video data is recorded, and a DVD player and TV combination for accessing the contents of the disc, but may also or otherwise comprise means for receiving said audio or video data as a television or radio broadcast, via a radio-frequency, cable, satellite or internet link.

Preferably each handset comprises up to 4 operating buttons, in which case said input signal may identify one of up to 24 possible sequences in which the buttons of each handset may be pressed.

Preferably the apparatus comprises up to 4 handsets, a unique control signal associated with each handset comprising one or other of the respective infra-red control signals associated with the 4 directional menu-navigation buttons of a remote control handset of the DVD player. Thus, the control signal associated with handset A may comprise the infra-red control signal associated with the “navigate up” button of the DVD remote control handset, handset B that associated with the “navigate down” button, handset C that associated with the “navigate left” button and handset D that associated with the “navigate right” button.

Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise a plurality of any number of handsets, said at least one control signal comprising a coded sequence of control signals. For example, the sequence associated with each handset may comprise a pre-determined respective number of repeated control signals associated with one of the 4 directional menu-navigation buttons of a remote control handset (e.g. the sequence of control signals associated with handset A may comprise a single transmission of the infra-red control signal associated with the “navigate up” button of the DVD remote control handset, handset B the same signal transmitted twice, handset C the same signal transmitted three times and handset D the same signal transmitted 4 times). The sequence control signals may instead comprise a binary sequence made up of a combination of the respective infra-red control signals associated with the 2 of the directional menu-navigation buttons of a remote control handset of the DVD player.

Preferably, the optical data-storage disc is authored to present a menu comprising a plurality of hidden menu buttons, one or other of which is selected, according to the particular control signal(s) received by the DVD player and preferably, where a plurality of control signals are received, also according to the order in which those signals are received.

For example, the reception of a control signal may cause a respective hidden menu button to be selected and an action associated with that button automatically performed (either immediately or after a pre-determined period of time), such as displaying an image identifying the handset from which a control signal associated with that button was received or updating a score.

The action associated with a selected menu button may comprise the execution of a command causing at least one register to be modified, for example, so that, after a predetermined period of time, the menu is automatically exited and the values stored in each of n registers are indicative of the order in which one or more control signals have been received.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for playing a game, comprising presenting a list of data items and transmitting a signal corresponding to the correct order of those data items, receiving said signal as input and determining therefrom the correct sequence in which at least two buttons of a handset must be pressed, determining whether the buttons of each of a plurality of handsets are pressed in the correct sequence and transmitting at least one control signal identifying at least the handset whose buttons are the first to pressed in the correct sequence.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a source of audio or video data incorporating a list of data items along with a signal corresponding to the correct order of those data items, preferably in a form in which said signal is substantially masked by said audio or video data.

For example said source may comprise a suitably authored optical data storage disc, such as a CD, DVD, VCD or SVCD or a radio-frequency, cable, satellite or internet broadcast source.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided software for creating audio or video data incorporating a list of data items along with a signal corresponding to the correct order of those data items, preferably in a form in which said signal is substantially masked by said audio or video data.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first preferred embodiment of game playing apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an example of a menu that might be displayed in use of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a second preferred embodiment of game playing apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement of menus that might instead be used in the game playing apparatus of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a game playing apparatus is shown, comprising a television set 2, for displaying the contents of a DVD 4 when the DVD is played on a DVD player 6.

The apparatus further comprises a set of 4 handsets, A, B, C and D, each comprising a respective microphone 8 for receiving an output signal incorporated into an audio stream, broadcast from a speaker of the television set 2 when the DVD 4 is played, and means for processing that signal to determine the order in which each of 4 operating buttons 10 of the handset must be pressed, in order for an infra-red transmitter 12 of the handset to emit a unique infra-red control signal.

The DVD 4 is authored such that, during the course of a game, the display of a list of 4 data items, in a substantially random order, is preceded by a corresponding one of 24 different output signals, each comprising a sequence of 3 audio tones, each tone comprising one of 4 different frequencies, to indicate to each handset the correct order in which the buttons thereof must be pressed, in order for a control signal to be emitted.

For example, the display of a menu comprising four data items “1:RED”, “2:GREEN”, “3:YELLOW” and “4:BLUE”, might be preceded by an audio instruction to “PUT THE FOLLOWING WORDS IN THEIR CORRECT ALPHABETICAL ORDER”, along with an output signal, comprising a sequence of three tones, whose respective frequencies correspond to the identifiers 4, 2 and 1, indicating the first, second and third buttons (and implicitly the fourth button 3) that each player needs to press on his respective handset.

As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the same menu is provided with a plurality of hidden menu buttons 14,16,18,20,22, one of which 14 is invisibly “highlighted” by default. The 4 handsets A, B, C and D are configured such that their respective IR control signals comprise the same signals associated with the “up”, “down”, “left” and “right” menu navigation buttons of the remote control handset used in normal functioning of the DVD player, the menu buttons being interconnected to assign respective values to each of four corresponding registers A, B, C and D, according to the order in which a sequence of control signals is received.

In operation, each of registers A′, B′, C′ and D′ is initially assigned the value of zero, the variable x assigned the value of 1 and hidden menu button 14 highlighted. If the first control signal then received is e.g. an “up” signal, then menu button 16 is automatically selected and a virtual machine command associated therewith executed, causing register B′ to be assigned the value of variable x (i.e. 1) and the value of variable x then incremented by 1. If, for example, a “left” control signal was then received, then menu button 18 would be automatically selected and a virtual machine command associated therewith executed, causing register C′ to be assigned the new value of variable x (i.e. 2) and the value of variable x then incremented by 1, and so forth.

Thus, when the menu “times-out” after a pre-determined period of time, the values stored in each of the registers A′, B′, C′ and D′ provide a record of the order in which control signals were received, e.g. A′=3, B′=1, C′=2, D′=0 would indicate that a first control signal was received from handset B, followed, in turn, by control signals from handsets C and A, and that no control signal was received from handset D.

A list may therefore be subsequently displayed of those players having pressed the buttons of their respective handsets in the correct order, and a different number of points allocated to each of those players according to whether the player's handset was the first, the second, the third or the fourth to emit a control signal.

The DVD 4 is further authored such that the component tones of each output signal are psycho-acoustically masked by other elements in the audio stream (so that the signals will be substantially inaudible to the persons playing a game) and preferably also such that the audio stream is pre-filtered, so that the frequency bands into which the component tones are introduced are otherwise substantially devoid of content.

It will be appreciated that, manufacturing costs permitting, the performance of the apparatus of FIG. 1 could be improved by substituting a radio-frequency receiver for the microphone input of each handset and providing additional means for transmitting either the entire audio-stream or a processed version thereof to each of the handsets.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second game playing apparatus having a substantially lower electronic component count than that of FIG. 1, the reduction in the number of electronic components being achieved by providing a hub 24, to which each of the 4 handsets is wired (or wirelessly connected), the hub 24 comprising a single microphone 26 (or radio frequency receiver) for receiving output signal from the audio stream, along with all of the necessary circuitry for comparing player inputs therewith and transmitting appropriate control signals via an infra-red transmitter 28 thereof.

It will be appreciated that as the hub of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 may be configured to transmit control signals at periodic intervals of time, the hub may, more conveniently, interface with a DVD game via a plurality of interlinked menu screens 30,32,34,36,38, e.g. as shown in FIG. 4 (wherein each menu screen is arranged to “time-out” after a pre-determined period of time if none of the auto-action hidden menu buttons 40 thereof is highlighted), the order of presentation of the screens being determined by the order in which control signals are received from the hub, which is in turn determined by the order in which it has calculated by the hub that players have pressed their handset buttons in the correct sequence. E.g. if the hub were to transmit a “navigate up” (Player 1 the first to press the buttons of his handset in the correct sequence) signal followed by a “navigate left” (Player 3 the second to press the buttons of his handset in the correct sequence) signal, a “navigate right” (Player 2 the third to press the buttons of his handset in the correct sequence) signal, and no “navigate down” signal (Player 4 incorrect or failed to respond in time) then menu screens 30 (always the first screen displayed with hidden-menu button 42 highlighted on display), 32, 36 and 34 would be displayed, in that order, informing players accordingly.

The apparatus thus described provide convenient means by which a plurality of players may compete against one another in a general knowledge quiz. 

1-25. (canceled)
 26. A game playing apparatus, comprising: a plurality of handsets, each handset of said plurality of handsets including at least two operating buttons; means for receiving an input signal identifying a correct sequence in which said operating buttons of each said handset must be pressed; means for determining from said input signal whether said operating buttons of each said handset are pressed in the correct sequence; and, means for transmitting at least one control signal identifying at least the handset having said operating buttons that are first to be pressed in the correct sequence.
 27. The game playing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said at least one control signal identifies each said handset whose buttons are pressed in the correct sequence.
 28. The game playing according to claim 27, wherein said at least one control signal identifies an order in which a last operating button press of each said correct sequence is pressed.
 29. The game playing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein each of said handsets includes: means for independently receiving said input signal; means for determining from said input signal whether said operating buttons of said handset are pressed in the correct sequence; and, means for transmitting at least one respective control signal accordingly.
 30. The game playing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said input signal either comprises, or is derived from, a signal incorporated into either audio or video data.
 31. The game playing apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising: an optical data storage disc having said audio or video data is recorded thereon; and, a a DVD player and a television in combination with one another for accessing said audio or video data recorded on said optical data storage disc.
 32. The game playing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein each handset is re-configurable for, and therefore capable of, associating at least one control signal therewith, appropriate for controlling said DVD player with which said handsets are to be used.
 33. The game playing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said optical data storage disc is authored for presenting a menu comprising a plurality of hidden menu buttons selectable according to a control signal received by said DVD player.
 34. The game playing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said optical data storage disc is authored so that, where a plurality of control signals are received, at least one hidden menu button of said plurality of hidden menu buttons is selected according to an order in which said plurality of control signals are received.
 35. The game playing apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising means for receiving said audio or video data as a television or radio broadcast, via a radio-frequency, cable, satellite or internet link.
 36. The game playing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein each of said handsets communicates with a processing hub comprising: means for receiving said input signal; means for determining from said input signal whether said operating buttons of each handset are pressed in the correct sequence; and, means for transmitting at least one control signal accordingly.
 37. The game playing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said input signal either comprises, or is derived from, a signal incorporated into either audio or video data.
 38. The game playing apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising: an optical data storage disc, on which said audio or video data is recorded; and, a DVD player and TV combination with one another for accessing contents recorded on said optical data storage disc.
 39. The game playing apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising means for receiving said audio or video data as a television or radio broadcast, via a radio-frequency, cable, satellite or internet link.
 40. The game playing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein each said handset includes up to four said operating buttons, said input signal identifying one to 24 possible sequences in which said operating buttons of each said handset are capable of being pressed.
 41. The game playing apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising up to four said handsets, a unique control signal associated with each said handset having at least one respective infra-red control signals associated with four directional menu-navigation buttons of a remote control handset of a DVD player.
 42. The game playing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said at least one control signal includes a coded sequence of control signals.
 43. The game playing apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said coded sequence associated with each said handset includes a pre-determined respective number of repeated control signals associated with one of four directional menu-navigation buttons of a DVD remote control handset.
 44. The game playing apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said coded sequence includes a binary sequence having a combination of respective infra-red control signals associated with two directional menu-navigation buttons of a DVD remote control handset.
 45. A method for playing a game, comprising the steps of: presenting a list of data items; transmitting a signal corresponding to a correct order of said data items; receiving said signal as input; determining from said input a correct sequence in which at least two operating buttons of a handset must be pressed; determining whether the operating buttons of each of a plurality of handsets are pressed in the correct sequence; and, transmitting at least one control signal identifying at least the handset having the operating buttons that are first to be pressed in the correct sequence.
 46. A source of audio or video data, comprising a list of data items along with a signal corresponding to a correct order of those data items.
 47. The source of audio or video data according to claim 46, wherein said signal is substantially masked by said audio or video data.
 48. The source of audio or video data according to claim 46, further comprising an authored optical data storage disc.
 49. Software for creating audio or video data, comprising a list of data items and a signal corresponding to a correct order of said data items.
 50. The software according to claim 49, wherein said audio or video data is created in a form wherein said signal is substantially masked by said audio or video data. 